Upon arriving home, Ana bolted out of the car as fast as she could and headed directly to her Grandmother who was sitting in front of the television watching her favorite “Oprah” show, and blurted out:
“Gramma, is it true that God said an Eye for an Eye and that we should punish everybody who sin?”
The Old Lady, sensing a troubled and confused child, switched off the television, beckoned Ana to come and sit with her and as she opened her bible replied slowly and deliberately:
“Yes Ana that is correct, the old bible spoke of revenge in several passages, ….listen:”
Opening to Leviticus 24:20, she read:
Limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth!
The same injury that a man gives another,
shall be inflicted on him in return.
The same injury that a man gives another,
shall be inflicted on him in return.
Ana sat up, mouth opened and stunned, as the old lady quickly continued:
“But that was the old bible and Jesus Christ in The Sermon on the Mount corrected that statement and even went further to advise us how we should treat evil people;.. Listen”:
You have heard that it was said,
'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth’,
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
then turn to him the other also.
'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth’,
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
then turn to him the other also.
Immediately Ana’s features changed, she was relieved with this response, but still confused about Jesus’ advice.
“Did he really mean that, Gramma, if someone hits you, you should let him hit you again?”
The Old Lady paused a little, carefully selected her thoughts and looking directly into Ana’s big brown, trusting eyes, said:
“Yes indeed Ana! that is exactly what Jesus instructed us. As true Christians we are taught that when someone does evil to us we cannot respond with evil. If we did, then we are no different than the evil doer and we will only encourage more evil. Instead, Christ teaches us to respond with Love and to pray for them. By doing this we will stop the evil”.
Little Ana, obviously taken aback the power of these words, exclaimed:
"Wow! Jesus us wants us to love everybody, even those who hate us!”
The old lady, delighted by her grand daughter’s insight, continued to read:
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic,
let him have your cloak as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile,
go with him two miles.
let him have your cloak as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile,
go with him two miles.
“Jesus did not hold back on his advice. He further stated, if someone wants something that was your own, like your dress, don’t refuse, in fact give him more. And even more than that, if he forces you to do something, don’t object, in fact try to do more. By saying this, he is confirming that as true Christians ours lives must be guided by the fundamental principles of love, caring, concern and service to all our brothers, no matter if they are friend and foe. He went further in his final statement, to stress this, listen:”
Give to the one who asks you,
and do not turn away
from the one who wants to borrow from you.
and do not turn away
from the one who wants to borrow from you.
“Jesus leaves us with no excuse. To be true followers we must obey his advice. We must forgive those who hurt us, resist any attempt to seek revenge and extend our love and help to all our brothers irrespective if they are friends or enemies. After all, that is the way God treats us. He never seeks revenge. Instead he forgives us over and over again and has accepted us all as his children”.
Ana sat in awe of her grandmother for sometime, then rising slowly and deliberately, she grasped the old lady’s face and kissed her over and over and then, with wisdom far above her tender age, she stated for all the world to hear,
“Dear God, why don’t all the leaders and politicians and religions just follow your advice and
stop listening to themselves and to the old bible alone”.
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